What are the criteria that make you choose one destination over another? (page 6 of 10)

Ugh, it’s way too broad! Spy? Oh, I know—sales rep! 😄

Travel here, travel there, travel everywhere—woohoo! You quote me endlessly in messages meant for others. And *you’re* the one talking about having "the audacity of direct confrontation"? Everyone here’s known for ages that you’re incapable of a coherent exchange. Avoidance is your MO. You remind me of a first-gen AI, back before it became generative.

I love good metaphors—I even get paid for them sometimes.

You could share that talent with us—money isn’t everything in life. Though "a little paid" and "sometimes" doesn’t exactly scream recognition.

@Attila, since the topic’s serious: In Latourex terms, I’d be "Free tourism."

In the Latourex nomenclature, I’d be ‘Free tourism.’

That doesn’t really answer the question...😛

Which wasn’t *how* do you travel?

But what criteria make you choose one destination over another?

Unless even the destination is improvised and chosen on a whim?

So why Australia, the United States, Southern Africa? Why not?

Aviation instructor?

we’re partly getting off-topic...

Beyond the criteria already mentioned—price, climate, change of scenery, landscapes, sparse or dense population, cultural, photographic, or musical interest, relaxation—couldn’t others be added without risking straying too far from the topic, even if they lighten the tone a bit?

Other criteria that might narrow the range of possibilities but wouldn’t be out of place in these uncertain times:

Looking at the color photo *and* its negative?

doesn’t throw administrative hurdles in my way or put me in danger.

On top of the obvious restrictions you’ve mentioned... what about intangible considerations: conscience, beliefs, others—do they have the right to rule out a destination, temporarily or not?

Isn’t feeling like a citizen of the world about using the only power we have as privileged travelers—to go *or* choose not to go to certain places, even if they’re safe for us?

Doesn’t current events give us plenty of examples?

The "in part" included geopolitical criteria that can influence the choice of a destination.

What matters in the title is the "you."

I’d like to hear everyone’s personal feelings, not just generalities—no matter how praiseworthy they may be.

So, an answer with an "I."

I get the impression you’re leaning toward a boycott based on your own ethical criteria, but I’m not entirely sure since that "I" wasn’t used.

I don’t include music in my personal list of criteria.

I’ll even admit I often prefer silence. 😊

Hello,

"Oh yes, absolutely! For my part, some destinations are completely off my list when it comes to 'carefree travel plans'! The sound of cannons is ugly! Apartheid too 😕 Unless you're an activist, committed to defending a specific cause—in which case, there’s no room for carefreeness, of course! ... Let’s go!"

I’m not convinced that European travelers—especially French ones—will really be in a position to be picky in the coming years. So... We’re practically at war with Azerbaijan, Russia, Belarus, a good chunk of the BRICS (who’ve sided with Russia), which means the U.S. too, and thus against Europe. Algeria, all of sub-Saharan Africa, persona non grata in much of West Africa, not welcome in Iran, and soon to be blacklisted in the U.S.... When do we start asking ourselves questions about the universalism that drives us? Do you really think adding Argentina to the list because its president is liberal, India because it’s nationalist, China because it’s authoritarian and imperialist, or Saudi Arabia because women are veiled, is relevant? "Citizen of the world" is more of a slogan than a concept, and it seems to have become a bit counterproductive.

Michel

So an answer with an "I".

Well... Maybe we could create a questionnaire with specific items that users could check directly on the site (a new feature to suggest)... to keep a given topic from the inevitable digressions that could broaden the discussion once the whole class has taken the floor to list all the components of I, me. 🙂

To answer your question directly—since my main criteria have already been mentioned—I’d say a well-crafted travel journal could sway me. It’s already influenced me before! :)

'Saudi Arabia because women are veiled there'

It’s over...

Well, it’s not exactly a joy for either men or women.

Personally, this lack of freedom in clothing, food, and freedom in general will make me choose another destination.

I can visit theocracies, but not ones that are this extreme.

The "I" allows us to open up...

I get the feeling that some travelers here prefer to stay hidden.

No problem with that, but then why comment on a thread that’s clearly focused on personal experiences?

I feel like it’s a bit like taking without ever giving.

Well, it’s not exactly a joy for either men or women.

Hmm... That’s your take. Shouldn’t we stop trying to impose our norms and customs like this? Didn’t Lévi-Strauss, the anthropologist, warn us about the psychological reaction that comes from encountering very different practices? A mutual rejection reaction, at that.

Michel

that the first question asked by Attila was multiple-choice style

Not at all.

The most important part was the

What else do I know...

that you left out.

I often operate this way on "personal" topics that I start. Always examples first to help get the ball rolling! 😉

There’s no right or wrong answer.

And everyone can dig deeper, ask for details, add something, what else do I know... If they’ve played along by answering in the first place...

After all, I’m neither a cop nor a moderator nor...

Maybe just the facilitator of my own topic, and that’s no small task on VF!

(There was a time when talking about yourself wasn’t a dirty word: here, for example)

Feeling like a citizen of the world—isn’t that about using the only power we have as travelers with comfortable means... to go or not to go to certain places, even if they’re safe for us?

Doesn’t current events provide plenty of examples?

You mean safe countries we’d choose not to visit to feel more like citizens of the world? Is that what you’re saying? Which countries are you thinking of? Israel? China? The United States? Russia? If we consider it a safe country...

a well-crafted travel journal could influence me.

The text more than the photos, then? Or both?

I always wonder if people have been influenced enough by our travel journals to take the plunge right away.

Bah... That's you saying that.

Well, yeah.

The I! 😛

But I think there are quite a few of us "I"s in this case...

Shouldn't we stop trying to impose our norms and customs like this?

Is freedom a purely French norm and custom?

(I don’t know why I’m asking this question—I can feel the discussion taking a turn again… 😏)